Antibodies against human tweak and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

An antibody binding to TWEAK comprising as heavy chain variable domain a CDR3H selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 8, 16 or 24.

PRIORITY TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of European Patent Application No. 09004905.7, filed Apr. 2, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Feb. 23, 2010, is named 26044.txt, and is 87,526 bytes in size.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to antibodies against human TWEAK (TWEAK antibodies), methods for their production, pharmaceutical compositions containing said antibodies, and uses thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Human TWEAK (UniProtKB O43508, TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis) is a cell surface associated type II transmembrane protein. TWEAK is described in Chicheportiche, Y. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272 (1997) 32401-32410; Marsters, S. A. et al., Curr. Biol. 8 (1998) 525-528; Lynch, C. N et al., J. Biol. Chem. 274 (1999) 8455-8459. The active form of TWEAK is a soluble homotrimer. Human and murine TWEAK show 93% sequence identity in receptor binding domain. The TWEAK receptor Fn14 (fibroblast growth factor inducible 14 kDa protein) is a 129 aa type I transmembane protein consisting of one single cystein rich domain in ligand binding domain. Signaling of TWEAK occurs via NF-KB pathway activation. TWEAK mRNA is expressed in a variety of tissues and found in most major organs like heart, brain, skeletal muscle, and pancreas, tissues related to the immune system like spleen, lymph nodes, and thymus. Fn14 mRNA has been detected in heart, brain, lung, placenta, vascular EC and smooth muscle cells. TWEAK-null and Fn14-null knockout mice are viable, healthy and fertile and have more natural killer cells and display an enhanced innate inflammatory response. TWEAK is involved in apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis, ischemic penumbra, cerebral edema, multiple sclerosis.

Anti-TWEAK antibodies are mentioned in WO 1998/005783, WO 2000/042073, WO 2003/086311, WO 2006/130429, WO 2006/130374, WO 2006/122187, WO 2006/089095, WO 2006/088890, WO 2006/052926.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes an isolated antibody binding to human TWEAK, characterized in comprising as heavy chain variable domain CDR3 region (CDR3H) selected from the group consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8, 16 or 24. Preferably, the antibody is a chimeric, humanized or T-cell epitope depleted antibody.

The invention includes an isolated antibody comprising a variable light chain with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and a variable heavy chain with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5; or a variable light chain with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 and a variable heavy chain with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13; or a variable light chain with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 and a variable heavy chain with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:21.

A preferred antibody according to the invention comprises CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, and CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8.

Another preferred antibody according to the invention comprises CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:14, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:15, and CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16.

Another preferred antibody according to the invention comprises CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, and CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24.

Another preferred antibody according to the invention comprises CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:74, and CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24.

Another preferred antibody according to the invention comprises CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:75, and CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24.

Another preferred antibody according to the invention comprises CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8, CDR1L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, CDR2L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, and CDR3L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4.

Another preferred antibody according to the invention comprises CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:14, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:15, CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16, CDR1L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, CDR2L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:11, and CDR3L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12.

Another preferred antibody according to the invention comprises CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24, CDR1L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, CDR2L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:19, and CDR3L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20.

Another preferred antibody according to the invention comprises CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:74, CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24, CDR1L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, CDR2L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:19, and CDR3L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20.

Another preferred antibody according to the invention comprises CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:75, CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24, CDR1L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, CDR2L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:19, and CDR3L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20.

Preferably the antibody of the invention comprises as light chain variable domain an amino acid sequence selected of the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, 9, 17, 32, 33, 34, 35, 44, 45, 46, 47, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60.

Preferably the antibody of the invention comprises as heavy chain variable domain an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:5, 13, 21, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, or 73.

A preferred antibody comprises as light chain variable domain an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, 32, 33, 34, 35 and as heavy chain variable domain an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:5, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43.

Another preferred antibody comprises as light chain variable domain an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:9, 44, 45, 46, 47 and as heavy chain variable domain an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:13, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54.

Another preferred antibody comprises as light chain variable domain an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:17, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60 and as heavy chain variable domain an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, and 73.

Preferred antibodies comprise light and heavy variable chain amino acid sequence combinations selected from the group consisting of the following amino acid sequences: SEQ ID NO: 1/5, 1/36, 1/37, 1/38 1/39, 1/40, 1/41, 1/42, 1/43, 32/5, 32/36, 32/37, 32/38, 32/39, 32/40, 32/41, 32/42, 32/43, 33/5, 33/36, 33/37, 33/38, 33/39, 33/40, 33/41, 33/42, 33/43, 34/5, 34/36, 34/37, 34/38 34/39, 34/40, 34/41, 34/42, 34/43, 35/5, 35/36, 35/37, 35/38, 35/39, 35/40, 35/41, 35/42, 35/43; 9/13, 9/48, 9/49; 9/50, 9/51, 9/52, 9/53, 9/54, 44/13, 44/48, 44/49; 44/50, 44/51, 44/52, 44/53, 44/54, 45/13, 45/48, 45/49; 45/50, 45/51, 45/52, 45/53, 45/54, 46/13, 46/48, 46/49; 46/50, 46/51, 46/52, 46/53, 46/54, 47/13, 47/48, 47/49; 47/50, 47/51, 47/52, 47/53, 47/54; 17/21, 17/61, 17/62, 17/63, 17/64, 17/65, 17/66, 17/67, 17/68, 17/69, 17/70, 17/71, 17/72, 17/73, 55/21, 55/61, 55/62, 55/63, 55/64, 55/65, 55/66, 55/67, 55/68, 55/69, 55/70, 55/71, 55/72, 55/73, 56/21, 56/61, 56/62, 56/63, 56/64, 56/65, 56/66, 56/67, 56/68, 56/69, 56/70, 56/71, 56/72, 56/73, 57/21, 57/61, 57/62, 57/63, 57/64, 57/65, 57/66, 57/67, 57/68, 57/69, 57/70, 57/71, 57/72, 57/73, 58/21, 58/61, 58/62, 58/63, 58/64, 58/65, 58/66, 58/67, 58/68, 58/69, 58/70, 58/71, 58/72, 58/73, 59/21, 59/61, 59/62, 59/63, 59/64, 59/65, 59/66, 59/67, 59/68, 59/69, 59/70, 59/71, 59/72, 59/73, 60/21, 60/61, 60/62, 60/63, 60/64, 60/65, 60/66, 60/67, 60/68, 60/69, 60/70, 60/71, 60/72, 60/73 (wherein 47/52 means an antibody comprising variable light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47 and variable heavy chain amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 52).

Another preferred antibody according to the invention comprises a variable chain amino acid sequence combination selected from the group consisting of light and heavy variable chains with amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:57 and SEQ ID NO:68; SEQ ID NO:57 and SEQ ID NO:69; SEQ ID NO:57 and SEQ ID NO:70; SEQ ID NO:57 and SEQ ID NO:71; SEQ ID NO:57 and SEQ ID NO:72; SEQ ID NO:57 and SEQ ID NO:73; SEQ ID NO:58 and SEQ ID NO:68; SEQ ID NO:58 and SEQ ID NO:69; SEQ ID NO:58 and SEQ ID NO:70; SEQ ID NO:58 and SEQ ID NO:71; SEQ ID NO:58 and SEQ ID NO:72; and SEQ ID NO:58 and SEQ ID NO:73.

A further embodiment of the invention is an antibody having a variable heavy chain or light chain selected from the group consisting of variable heavy or light chains with amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 and 73. Such a variable heavy chain or light chain is useful as intermediate for the generation of an antibody according to the invention.

Preferably the antibody binding to TWEAK and being characterized by the above mentioned amino acid sequences and amino acid sequence fragments is of human IgG1 isotype.

An antibody according to the invention shows a half-life of a complex between soluble human TWEAK (amino acids 99-249) and antibody of 53 minutes or lower (preferably 20 minutes and lower and especially preferred between 10 and 20 minutes) at 25° C., measured by Biacore. Anti-TWEAK antibodies showing such low half-life are especially preferred for use in the treatment of tumor diseases.

An antibody according to the invention specifically binds to human TWEAK and inhibits the interaction between human TWEAK and Fn14 with an IC₅₀ value of 15 ng/ml or lower. The antibody is preferably of human IgG1 isotype. Preferably the antibody is a humanized or human antibody. As used herein, IC₅₀ means the amount of antibody that blocks 50% of the interaction between human TWEAK and Fn14.

An antibody according to the invention preferably shows a half-life of a complex between soluble murine TWEAK (amino acids 81-225) and antibody of 70 minutes or lower (preferably between 40 and 70 minutes) at 25° C., measured by Biacore and binds to murine TWEAK and inhibits the interaction between murine TWEAK and Fn14 with an IC₅₀ value of 40 ng/ml or lower.

A further embodiment of the invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody according to the invention.

A further embodiment of the invention is the use of an antibody according to the invention for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition.

A further embodiment of the invention is the use of an antibody according to the invention for the treatment of cancer, preferably of colon, lung or pancreatic cancer.

A further embodiment of the invention is a method for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody according to the invention.

A further embodiment of the invention is a nucleic acid encoding a heavy chain variable domain and/or a light chain variable domain of an antibody according to the invention.

The invention further provides expression vectors containing nucleic acid according to the invention capable of expressing said nucleic acid in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell, and host cells containing such vectors for the recombinant production of such an antibody.

The invention further comprises a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell comprising a vector according to the invention.

The invention further comprises a method for the production of a recombinant human or humanized antibody according to the invention, characterized by expressing a nucleic acid according to the invention in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell and recovering said antibody from said cell or the cell culture supernatant. The invention further comprises the antibody obtainable by such a recombinant method.

Antibodies according to the invention show benefits for patients in need of a TWEAK targeting therapy. The antibodies according to the invention have new and inventive properties causing a benefit for a patient suffering from a tumor disease, especially suffering from colon, lung, or pancreatic cancer.

The invention further provides a method for treating a patient suffering from cancer, especially from colon, lung, or pancreatic cancer, comprising administering to a patient diagnosed as having such a disease (and therefore being in need of such a therapy) an effective amount of an antibody binding to TWEAK according to the invention. The antibody is administered preferably in a pharmaceutical composition.

A further embodiment of the invention is a method for the treatment of a patient suffering from cancer, especially from colon, lung, or pancreatic cancer, characterized by administering to the patient an antibody according to the invention.

The invention further includes the use of an antibody according to the invention for the treatment of a patient suffering from cancer, especially from colon, lung, or pancreatic cancer, and for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention. In addition, the invention comprises a method for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention.

The invention also includes a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody according to the invention, optionally together with a buffer and/or an adjuvant useful for the formulation of antibodies for pharmaceutical purposes.

The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody according to the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition may be included in an article of manufacture or kit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 Effect of anti-TWEAK antibodies on Panc1 human pancreatic carcinoma xenograft growth (Example 7)

FIG. 2 Effect of anti-TWEAK antibodies on ACHN human renal carcinoma xenograft growth (Example 8).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The term “antibody” encompasses the various forms of antibody structures including, but not being limited to, whole antibodies, bispecific antibodies and antibody fragments. The antibody according to the invention is preferably a humanized antibody, chimeric antibody, or further genetically engineered antibody as long as the characteristic properties according to the invention are retained.

“Antibody fragments” comprise a portion of a full length antibody, preferably the variable domain thereof, or at least the antigen binding site thereof. Examples of antibody fragments include diabodies, single-chain antibody molecules, and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments. scFv antibodies are, e.g., described in Houston, J. S., Methods in Enzymol. 203 (1991) 46-88. In addition, antibody fragments comprise single chain polypeptides having the characteristics of a V_(H) domain, namely being able to assemble together with a V_(L) domain, or of a V_(L) domain binding to TWEAK, namely being able to assemble together with a V_(H) domain to a functional antigen binding site.

The terms “monoclonal antibody” or “monoclonal antibody composition” as used herein refer to a preparation of antibody molecules of a single amino acid composition.

The term “humanized antibody” refers to antibodies in which the framework and/or “complementary determining regions” (CDR) have been modified to comprise the CDR of an immunoglobulin of different species as compared to that of the parent immunoglobulin. In a preferred embodiment, a hamster CDR is grafted into the framework region of a human antibody to prepare the “humanized antibody”. See, e.g., Riechmann, L., et al., Nature 332 (1988) 323-327; and Neuberger, M. S., et al., Nature 314 (1985) 268-270.

The term “chimeric antibody” refers to a monoclonal antibody comprising a variable region, i.e., binding region, from mouse and at least a portion of a constant region derived from a different source or species, usually prepared by recombinant DNA techniques. Chimeric antibodies comprising for example a mouse variable region and a human constant region. Such mouse/human chimeric antibodies are the product of expressed immunoglobulin genes comprising DNA segments encoding rat immunoglobulin variable regions and DNA segments encoding human immunoglobulin constant regions. Other forms of 20 “chimeric antibodies” encompassed by the present invention are those in which the class or subclass has been modified or changed from that of the original antibody. Such “chimeric” antibodies are also referred to as “class-switched antibodies.” Methods for producing chimeric antibodies involve conventional recombinant DNA and gene transfection techniques now well known in the art. See, e.g., 25 Morrison, S. 1., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA 81 (1984) 6851-6855; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,202,238 and 5,204,244.

The term “T cell epitope depleted antibody” refers to antibodies that were modified to remove or reduce immunogenicity by removing human T cell epitopes (peptide sequences within proteins with the capacity to bind to MHC Class II molecules). By this method, interactions between amino acid side chains of the peptide and specific binding pockets with the MHC class II binding groove are identified. The identified immunogenic regions are mutated to eliminate immunogenicity. Such methods are described in general in, e.g., WO 98/52976.

The “variable domain” (variable domain of a light chain (V_(L)), variable domain of a heavy chain (V_(H))) as used herein denotes each of the pair of light and heavy chain domains which are involved directly in binding the antibody to the antigen. The variable light and heavy chain domains have the same general structure and each domain comprises four framework (FR) regions whose sequences are widely conserved, connected by three “hypervariable regions” (or complementary determining regions, CDRs). The framework regions adopt a β-sheet conformation and the CDRs may form loops connecting the β-sheet structure. The CDRs in each chain are held in their three-dimensional structure by the framework regions and form together with the CDRs from the other chain the antigen binding site. The antibody's heavy and light chain CDR3 regions play a particularly important role in the binding specificity/affinity of the antibodies according to the invention and therefore provide a further object of the invention.

The term “antigen-binding portion of an antibody” when used herein refers to the amino acid residues of an antibody which are responsible for antigen-binding. The antigen-binding portion of an antibody comprises amino acid residues from the “complementary determining regions” or “CDRs”. “Framework” or “FR” regions are those variable domain regions other than the hypervariable region residues as herein defined. Therefore, the light and heavy chain variable domains of an antibody comprise from N- to C-terminus the domains FR1, CDR1, FR2, CDR2, FR3, CDR3, and FR4. Especially, CDR3 of the heavy chain is the region which contributes most to antigen binding and defines the antibody's properties. CDR and FR regions are determined according to the standard definition of Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th ed., Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991) and/or those residues from a “hypervariable loop”.

The term “CDR1H” denotes the CDR1 region of the heavy chain variable region calculated according to Kabat. CDR2L, CDR3H, etc. mean the respective regions from the heavy(H) or light(L) chain. For example, an antibody characterized by comprising CDR1H of SEQ ID NO:6 means that the antibody comprises this amino acid sequence as a heavy chain variable chain CDR1 region in its variable heavy chain. For example, an antibody characterized by comprising CDR1H of SEQ ID NO:6, CDR2H of SEQ ID NO:7, CDR3H of SEQ ID NO:8 means that the antibody comprises in its heavy chain as sequence of CDR1 SEQ ID NO:6, as sequence of CDR2 SEQ ID NO:7, and as sequence of CDR3 SEQ ID NO:8.

The terms “nucleic acid” or “nucleic acid molecule” as used herein are intended to include DNA molecules and RNA molecules. A nucleic acid molecule may be single-stranded or double-stranded, but preferably is double-stranded DNA.

The term “amino acid” as used within this application denotes the group of naturally occurring carboxy α-amino acids comprising alanine (three letter code: ala, one letter code: A), arginine (arg, R), asparagine (asn, N), aspartic acid (asp, D), cysteine (cys, C), glutamine (gln, Q), glutamic acid (glu, E), glycine (gly, G), histidine (his, H), isoleucine (ile, I), leucine (leu, L), lysine (lys, K), methionine (met, M), phenylalanine (phe, F), proline (pro, P), serine (ser, S), threonine (thr, T), tryptophan (trp, W), tyrosine (tyr, Y), and valine (val, V).

A nucleic acid is “operably linked” when it is placed into a functional relationship with another nucleic acid. For example, DNA for a presequence or secretory leader is operably linked to DNA for a polypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein that participates in the secretion of the polypeptide; a promoter or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the sequence; or a ribosome binding site is operably linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned so as to facilitate translation. Generally, “operably linked” means that the DNA sequences being linked are colinear, and, in the case of a secretory leader, contiguous and in reading frame. However, enhancers do not have to be contiguous Linking is accomplished by ligation at convenient restriction sites. If such sites do not exist, synthetic oligonucleotide adaptors or linkers are used in accordance with conventional practice.

As used herein, the expressions “cell”, “cell line”, and “cell culture” are used interchangeably and all such designations include progeny. Thus, the words “transformants” and “transformed cells” include the primary subject cell and cultures derived therefrom without regard for the number of transfers. It is also understood that all progeny may not be precisely identical in DNA content, due to deliberate or inadvertent mutations. Variant progeny that have the same function or biological activity as screened for in the originally transformed cell are included.

The “Fc part” of an antibody is not involved directly in binding of an antibody to an antigen, but exhibits various effector functions. An “Fc part of an antibody” is a term well known to the skilled artisan and defined on the basis of papain cleavage of antibodies. Depending on the amino acid sequence of the constant region of their heavy chains, antibodies or immunoglobulins are divided into the classes: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM, and several of these may be further divided into subclasses (isotypes), e.g. IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4, IgA1, and IgA2. According to the heavy chain constant regions the different classes of immunoglobulins are called α, δ, ε, γ, and μ, respectively. The Fc part of an antibody is directly involved in ADCC (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity) and CDC (complement-dependent cytotoxicity) based on complement activation, C1q binding and Fc receptor binding. Complement activation (CDC) is initiated by binding of complement factor C1q to the Fc part of most IgG antibody subclasses. While the influence of an antibody on the complement system is dependent on certain conditions, binding to C1q is caused by defined binding sites in the Fc part. Such binding sites are known in the state of the art and described, e.g., by Boakle, R. J. et al., Nature 282 (1979) 742-743; Lukas, T. J. et al., J. Immunol. 127 (1981) 2555-2560; Brunhouse, R. and Cebra, J. J., Mol. Immunol. 16 (1979) 907-917; Burton, D. R. et al., Nature 288 (1980) 338-344; Thommesen, J. E. et al., Mol. Immunol. 37 (2000) 995-1004; Idusogie, E. E. et al., J. Immunol. 164 (2000) 4178-4184; Hezareh, M. et al., J. Virology 75 (2001) 12161-12168; Morgan, A. et al., Immunology 86 (1995) 319-324; EP 0 307 434. Such binding sites are, e.g., L234, L235, D270, N297, E318, K320, K322, P331, and P329 (numbering according to EU index of Kabat, see below). Antibodies of subclass IgG1, IgG2 and IgG3 usually show complement activation and C1q and C3 binding, whereas IgG4 does not activate the complement system and does not bind C1q and C3.

The antibody according to the invention preferably comprises an Fc part of human origin which is Fc part of a human antibody of the subclass IgG1.

The antibody according to the invention is characterized in that the constant chains are of human origin. Such constant chains are well known in the state of the art and e.g. described by Kabat (see e.g. Johnson, G. and Wu, T. T., Nucleic Acids Res. 28 (2000) 214-218). For example, a useful human heavy chain constant region comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:27 or 28. For example, a useful human light chain constant region comprises an amino acid sequence of a kappa-light chain constant region of SEQ ID NO:25. It is further preferred that the antibody is of hamster origin and comprises the antibody variable sequence frame of a hamster antibody according to Kabat (see e.g. Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Kabat, E. A. et al., 5^(th) edition, DIANE Publishing (1992)).

The invention also includes a method for the treatment of a patient in need of therapy, characterized by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody according to the invention.

The invention also includes the use of an antibody according to the invention for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of cancer.

The invention also includes the use of an antibody according to the invention for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and of cancer, especially colon, lung, or pancreatic cancer.

A further embodiment of the invention is a method for the production of an antibody against TWEAK, characterized in that the sequence of a nucleic acid encoding the heavy chain of an antibody according to the invention and the nucleic acid encoding the light chain of said antibody are inserted into one or two expression vector(s), said vector(s) is/are inserted in a eukaryotic host cell, the encoded antibody is expressed and recovered from the host cell or the supernatant.

The antibodies according to the invention are preferably produced by recombinant means. Such methods are widely known in the state of the art and comprise protein expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells with subsequent isolation of the antibody polypeptide and usually purification to a pharmaceutically acceptable purity. For the protein expression nucleic acids encoding light and heavy chains or fragments thereof are inserted into expression vectors by standard methods. Expression is performed in appropriate prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells, such as CHO cells, NS0 cells, SP2/0 cells, HEK293 cells, COS cells, yeast, or E. coli cells, and the antibody is recovered from the cells (from the supernatant or after cells lysis).

Recombinant production of antibodies is well-known in the state of the art and described, for example, in the review articles of Makrides, S. C., Protein Expr. Purif. 17 (1999) 183-202; Geisse, S. et al., Protein Expr. Purif. 8 (1996) 271-282; Kaufman, R. J., Mol. Biotechnol. 16 (2000) 151-160; Werner, R. G., Drug Res. 48 (1998) 870-880.

The antibodies may be present in whole cells, in a cell lysate, or in a partially purified, or substantially pure form. Purification is performed in order to eliminate other cellular components or other contaminants, e.g., other cellular nucleic acids or proteins, by standard techniques, including alkaline/SDS treatment, CsCl banding, column chromatography, agarose gel electrophoresis, and others well known in the art. See Ausubel, F. et al. (eds.), Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing and Wiley Interscience, New York (1987).

Expression in NS0 cells is described by, e.g., Barnes, L. M. et al., Cytotechnology 32 (2000) 109-123; Barnes, L. M. et al., Biotech. Bioeng. 73 (2001) 261-270. Transient expression is described by, e.g., Durocher, Y. et al., Nucl. Acids. Res. 30 (2002) E9. Cloning of variable domains is described by Orlandi, R. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86 (1989) 3833-3837; Carter, P. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89 (1992) 4285-4289; Norderhaug, L. et al., J. Immunol. Methods 204 (1997) 77-87. A preferred transient expression system (HEK 293) is described by Schlaeger, E.-J. and Christensen, K., in Cytotechnology 30 (1999) 71-83, and by Schlaeger, E.-J., in J. Immunol. Methods 194 (1996) 191-199.

Monoclonal antibodies are suitably separated from the culture medium by conventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as, for example, protein A-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite chromatography, dialysis, or affinity chromatography. DNA and RNA encoding the monoclonal antibodies is readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures. The hybridoma cells can serve as a source of such DNA and RNA. Once isolated, the DNA may be inserted into expression vectors, which are then transfected into host cells, such as HEK 293 cells, CHO cells, or myeloma cells that do not otherwise produce immunoglobulin protein, to obtain the synthesis of recombinant monoclonal antibodies in the host cells.

Nucleic acid molecules encoding amino acid sequence variants of anti-TWEAK antibody are prepared by a variety of methods known in the art. These methods include, but are not limited to, isolation from a natural source (in the case of naturally occurring amino acid sequence variants) or preparation by oligonucleotide-mediated (or site-directed) mutagenesis, PCR mutagenesis, and cassette mutagenesis of an earlier prepared variant or a non-variant version of humanized anti-TWEAK antibody.

The heavy and light chain variable domains according to the invention are combined with sequences of promoter, translation initiation, constant region, 3′ untranslated region, polyadenylation, and transcription termination to form expression vector constructs. The heavy and light chain expression constructs can be combined into a single vector, co-transfected, serially transfected, or separately transfected into host cells which are then fused to form a single host cell expressing both chains.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition, e.g. a pharmaceutical composition, containing one or a combination of monoclonal antibodies, or the antigen-binding portion thereof, of the present invention, formulated together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption/resorption delaying agents, and the like that are physiologically compatible. Preferably, the carrier is suitable for injection or infusion.

A composition of the present invention can be administered by a variety of methods known in the art. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the route and/or mode of administration will vary depending upon the desired results.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is known in the art. In addition to water, the carrier can be, for example, an isotonic buffered saline solution.

Regardless of the route of administration selected, the compounds of the present invention, which may be used in a suitable hydrated form, and/or the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention, are formulated into pharmaceutically acceptable dosage forms by conventional methods known to those of skill in the art.

Actual dosage levels of the active ingredients in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be varied so as to obtain an amount of the active ingredient which is effective to achieve the desired therapeutic response for a particular patient, composition, and mode of administration, without being toxic to the patient (effective amount). The selected dosage level will depend upon a variety of pharmacokinetic factors including the activity of the particular compositions of the present invention employed, or the ester, salt or amide thereof, the route of administration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion of the particular compound being employed, other drugs, compounds and/or materials used in combination with the particular compositions employed, the age, sex, weight, condition, general health and prior medical history of the patient being treated, and like factors well known in the medical arts.

The invention comprises the use of the antibodies according to the invention for the treatment of a patient suffering from cancer, especially from colon, lung, or pancreatic cancer.

The invention comprises also a method for the treatment of a patient suffering from such disease.

The invention further provides a method for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of an antibody according to the invention together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and the use of the antibody according to the invention for such a method.

The invention further provides the use of an antibody according to the invention in an effective amount for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical agent, preferably together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for the treatment of a patient suffering from cancer, especially from colon, lung, or pancreatic cancer.

The invention also provides the use of an antibody according to the invention in an effective amount for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical agent, preferably together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for the treatment of a patient suffering from cancer, especially from colon, lung or pancreatics cancer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCES

TABLE 1 Antibody 202 Hamster light chain SEQ ID NO: 1 CDR1L SEQ ID NO: 2 CDR2L SEQ ID NO: 3 CDR3L SEQ ID NO: 4 Hamster heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 5 CDR1H SEQ ID NO: 6 CDR2H SEQ ID NO: 7 CDR3H SEQ ID NO: 8 Humanized variant of light chain 202-LC1 SEQ ID NO: 32 Humanized variant of light chain 202-LC2 SEQ ID NO: 33 Humanized variant of light chain 202-LC3 SEQ ID NO: 34 Humanized variant of light chain 202-LC4 SEQ ID NO: 35 Humanized variant of heavy chain 202-HC1 SEQ ID NO: 36 Humanized variant of heavy chain 202-HC2 SEQ ID NO: 37 Humanized variant of heavy chain 202-HC3 SEQ ID NO: 38 Humanized variant of heavy chain 202-HC4 SEQ ID NO: 39 Humanized variant of heavy chain 202-HC5 SEQ ID NO: 40 Humanized variant of heavy chain 202-HC6 SEQ ID NO: 41 Humanized variant of heavy chain 202-HC7 SEQ ID NO: 42 Humanized variant of heavy chain 202-HC8 SEQ ID NO: 43

TABLE 2 Antibody 205 Hamster light chain SEQ ID NO: 9 CDR1L SEQ ID NO: 10 CDR2L SEQ ID NO: 11 CDR3L SEQ ID NO: 12 Hamster heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 13 CDR1H SEQ ID NO: 14 CDR2H SEQ ID NO: 15 CDR3H SEQ ID NO: 16 Humanized variant of light chain 205-LC1 SEQ ID NO: 44 Humanized variant of light chain 205-LC2 SEQ ID NO: 45 Humanized variant of light chain 205-LC3 SEQ ID NO: 46 Humanized variant of light chain 205-LC4 SEQ ID NO: 47 Humanized variant of heavy chain 205-HC1 SEQ ID NO: 48 Humanized variant of heavy chain 205-HC2 SEQ ID NO: 49 Humanized variant of heavy chain 205-HC3 SEQ ID NO: 50 Humanized variant of heavy chain 205-HC4 SEQ ID NO: 51 Humanized variant of heavy chain 205-HC5 SEQ ID NO: 52 Humanized variant of heavy chain 205-HC6 SEQ ID NO: 53 Humanized variant of heavy chain 205-HC7 SEQ ID NO: 54

TABLE 3 Antibody 212 Hamster light chain SEQ ID NO: 17 CDR1L SEQ ID NO: 18 CDR2L SEQ ID NO: 19 CDR3L SEQ ID NO: 20 Hamster heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 21 CDR1H SEQ ID NO: 22 CDR2H_NPS SEQ ID NO: 23 CDR2H_NPA SEQ ID NO: 74 CDR2H_SPS SEQ ID NO: 75 CDR3H SEQ ID NO: 24 Humanized variant of light chain 212-LC1 SEQ ID NO: 55 Humanized variant of light chain 212-LC2 SEQ ID NO: 56 Humanized variant of light chain 212-LC3 SEQ ID NO: 57 Humanized variant of light chain 212-LC4 SEQ ID NO: 58 Humanized variant of light chain 212-LC5 SEQ ID NO: 59 Humanized variant of light chain 212-LC6 SEQ ID NO: 60 Humanized variant of heavy chain 212-HC5 SEQ ID NO: 61 Humanized variant of heavy chain 212-HC6 SEQ ID NO: 62 Humanized variant of heavy chain 212-HC7 SEQ ID NO: 63 Humanized variant of heavy chain 212-HC8 SEQ ID NO: 64 Humanized variant of heavy chain 212-HC9 SEQ ID NO: 65 Humanized variant of heavy chain 212-HC10 SEQ ID NO: 66 Humanized variant of heavy chain 212-HC11 SEQ ID NO: 67 Humanized variant of heavy chain 212-HC6NPA SEQ ID NO: 68 Humanized variant of heavy chain 212-HC6SPS SEQ ID NO: 69 Humanized variant of heavy chain 212-HC7NPA SEQ ID NO: 70 Humanized variant of heavy chain 212-HC7SPS SEQ ID NO: 71 Humanized variant of heavy chain 212-HC9NPA SEQ ID NO: 72 Humanized variant of heavy chain 212-HC9SPS SEQ ID NO: 73

TABLE 4 Human constant regions Human kappa light chain SEQ ID NO: 25 Human lambda light chain SEQ ID NO: 26 Human IgG1 (Caucasian Allotype) SEQ ID NO: 27 Human IgG1 (Afroamerican Allotype) SEQ ID NO: 28 Human IgG1 LALA-Mutant (Caucasian Allotype) SEQ ID NO: 29 Human IgG4 SEQ ID NO: 30 Human IgG4 SPLE-Mutant SEQ ID NO: 31

The following examples, sequence listing and figures are provided to aid the understanding of the present invention, the true scope of which is set forth in the appended claims. It is understood that modifications can be made in the procedures set forth without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Example 1 Description of Immunization Immunization of Armenian Hamsters with Human/Murine TWEAK

Armenian hamsters were immunized with 50 μg recombinant human soluble TWEAK (amino acids 99-249) at day 0 with complete Freund's adjuvant, day 28 and day 56 (both with incomplete Freund's adjuvant) and with 50 μg recombinant mouse soluble TWEAK (amino acids 81-225) at day 84 with incomplete Freund's adjuvant by intraperitoneal injection. Blood was taken at days 108 and 91 and serum prepared, which was used for titer determination by ELISA (see below). Animals with highest titers were selected for boosting at day 112 by intravenous injection of 50 μg of recombinant mouse soluble TWEAK and antibodies were selected based on their ability to bind human and mouse TWEAK (Example 2), neutralize human and mouse TWEAK-Fn14 interaction (Examples 4 and 5), and inhibit IL8 secretion (Example 6). In addition, the half-life of the antibody-TWEAK complex was investigated (Example 3). Antitumor efficacy of the antibodies was tested in Panc1 human pancreatic carcinoma xenografts and ACHN renal carcinoma xenografts.

Example 2 Binding to Human and Mouse TWEAK (ELISA)

Binding of anti-TWEAK antibodies to human and mouse TWEAK was determined by ELISA. Human or mouse recombinant TWEAK were immobilized on a 384-well Nunc Maxisorp plate at 1 μg/ml, 25 μl/well, in 0.5 M carbonate coating buffer, pH 9.5, by incubation overnight at 2-8° C. Blocking of the plate with PBS/1% BSA for 1 h at room temperature was followed by two wash steps (0.1% Tween® 20 in PBS) and incubation with anti-TWEAK antibodies at different concentrations in blocking buffer or hybridoma supernatants of said antibodies for 1 h at room temperature. After further four washes, antibodies were detected with anti-hamster-HRP antibody diluted 1:5000 in blocking buffer, for 1 h at room temperature. Signal was developed by addition of ABTS® (Roche Diagnostics GmbH) for 10-30 minutes after another four wash steps. Absorbance was read out at 405 nm.

Example 3 Half-Life Determination of the Antibody-TWEAK Complexes Using Biacore

A Biacore 2000 instrument was used with a Biacore streptavidin coated sensor mounted into the system. The system buffer HBS-ET (10 mM HEPES pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 0.05% Tween® 20) was used at a flow rate of 100 μl/min. The sample buffer was the system buffer. Biotinylated human soluble TWEAK and biotinylated murine soluble TWEAK was immobilized on different flow cells on the SA sensor at 150 RU each. The flow cell FC1 was used as a blank reference cell. Each antibody was injected into the system as an analyte at 100 nM at 100 μl/min for 2 min association time. The dissociation of the immunecomplexes were monitored for 5 min. The sensor surface was washed with HBS-ET for 10 seconds and regenerated using 2×2 minutes injections with 10 mM glycine pH 2.25. This procedure was done at 25° C. The kinetically rate limiting step of the complex dissociation phase in the interval [240 s-300 s] was taken to calculate the dissociation rate kd [1/s] (Biacore Evaluation Software 4.0). According to the equation t1/2 diss=ln(2)/(60×kd), the half-life of each immunocomplexe in minutes was calculated. Results are shown in tables 5 and 6b.

TABLE 5 Human TWEAK t/2 diss [min] Antibody 25° C. TW202 Hamster 53 TW202chi Chimer¹⁾ n.d. TW205 Hamster 30 TW205chi Chimer¹⁾ n.d. TW212 Hamster 20 TW212chi Chimer¹⁾ 13 ¹⁾human kappa light chain SEQ ID NO: 25 and human IgG1 SEQ ID NO: 27

Example 4 Neutralization of TWEAK-Fn14 Interaction (Human)

Blocking of human TWEAK/human Fn14 interaction was shown by receptor interaction ELISA. 96-well Maxisorp® plates (Nunc) were coated with 100 μl 1 μg/ml human Fn14:Fc (extracellular domain of human Fn14 (amino acids 1-75) fused to Fc portion of human IgG1) in PBS per well for 1.5 h at room temperature and blocked with a solution of 5% FBS in PBS for 30 minutes at room temperature under shaking. In the meantime, human Flag-tagged soluble TWEAK (amino acids 106-249) at 2.5 ng/ml in blocking solution was incubated with different concentrations of anti-TWEAK antibodies or hybridoma supernatant for 2 h at room temperature under shaking After washing the Fn14-coated plate once with wash buffer (0.1% Tween® 20 in PBS), 100 μl of the TWEAK-antibody solution were transferred to each well and the plate was incubated for 1 h at room temperature, followed by four washes with wash buffer. Wells were filled with 100 μl of anti-FLAG-HRP detection antibody, diluted 1:5000 in blocking buffer, and incubated for 1 h at room temperature. After four more wash steps, the signal was developed by addition of 100 μl 3,3,5,5-Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) solution for approximately ten minutes. The reaction was stopped by adding 100 μl of 1 N HCl, and absorbance measured at 450 nm (reference wavelength 620 nm). Results are shown in table 6.

Example 5 Neutralization of TWEAK-Fn14 Interaction (Mouse)

The mouse TWEAK/mouse Fn14 interaction ELISA followed a similar principle as described for the human proteins but used a different detection system, as mouse soluble TWEAK was not tagged. Briefly, Maxisorp plates were coated with mouse Fn14:Fc (extracellular domain of mouse Fn14 (amino acids 1-75) fused to Fc portion of human IgG1) as described above for human Fn14:Fc, followed by blocking and washing. Mouse soluble TWEAK at 4 ng/ml was pre-incubated with anti-TWEAK-antibodies or hybridoma supernatant in blocking buffer and 100 μl of the mixture were added per well of the Fn14-coated plate. After 1 h of incubation at room temperature and four washes, biotinylated anti-mouse TWEAK antibody at 125 ng/ml in blocking buffer was added for 1 h at room temperature, followed by another four wash steps. The TWEAK antibody was detected by incubation with streptavidin-HRP, diluted 1:5000 in blocking buffer, for 30 minutes at room temperature. Signal was developed and absorbance measured as described above. Results are shown in table 6.

Example 6 IL-8 Secretion ELISA

Blocking of TWEAK activity by anti-TWEAK antibodies in a cellular system was shown in an IL-8 secretion assay using A375 melanoma cells. 10,000 A375 cells (ATCC #CRL1619) were seeded per well of 96-well cell culture plate in 100 μl of growth medium (DMEM with 4.5 g/L glucose, with pyruvate and GlutaMAX™/10% FBS) and incubated at 37° C./5% CO₂ for 48 h. Human recombinant soluble TWEAK was pre-incubated at 300 ng/ml with different concentrations of anti-TWEAK antibodies in growth medium for 30 minutes at room temperature. Then, 50 μl of the mixture were added to each well of the cell plate, followed by another 48 h-incubation to allow for IL-8 secretion. 20 μl of the cell supernatant were removed after centrifuging the plate for five minutes at 200×g and mixed with 980 μl of RD5P Calibrator Diluent from the “CXCL8 Quantikine ELISA” kit (R&D Systems). IL-8 was detected by the ELISA according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results are shown in table 6.

TABLE 6 Interaction Inhibition IL-8 Human Murine Secretion TWEAK TWEAK IC₅₀ Antibody IC₅₀ [ng/ml] IC₅₀ [ng/ml] [ng/ml] TW-202 Hamster 9.2 9.0 146 TW-202chi Chimer 11.8 11.8 269 TW-205 Hamster 8.8 5.1 151 TW-205chi Chimer 11.8 5.9 195 TW-212 Hamster 15.1 4.6 112 TW-212chi Chimer 13.4 5.7 111 Interaction Inhibition Biacore Human Murine IL-8 Human TWEAK TWEAK Secretion TWEAK IC₅₀ IC₅₀ IC₅₀ t/2 diss. [min] Antibody [ng/ml] [ng/ml] [ng/ml] 25° C. 15 14 5 141 18 16 22 7 163 15 17 14 6 146 18 18 16 6 189 16 19 15 7 253 17 20 35 14 401 15 21 12 5 224 17 22 17 5 249 14 23 13 6 242 17 24 20 8 165 15 25 42 18 475 17 26 94 36 222 16 Variable light Variable heavy Antibody chain sequence chain sequence 15 SEQ ID NO: 57 SEQ ID NO: 68 16 SEQ ID NO: 57 SEQ ID NO: 69 17 SEQ ID NO: 57 SEQ ID NO: 70 18 SEQ ID NO: 57 SEQ ID NO: 71 19 SEQ ID NO: 57 SEQ ID NO: 72 20 SEQ ID NO: 57 SEQ ID NO: 73 21 SEQ ID NO: 58 SEQ ID NO: 68 22 SEQ ID NO: 58 SEQ ID NO: 69 23 SEQ ID NO: 58 SEQ ID NO: 70 24 SEQ ID NO: 58 SEQ ID NO: 71 25 SEQ ID NO: 58 SEQ ID NO: 72 26 SEQ ID NO: 58 SEQ ID NO: 73

Example 7 Antitumor Efficacy Anti-TWEAK Antibodies Against Panc1 Human Pancreatic Carcinoma Xenograft Growth

Study design: Panc1 cells (1×10⁷ cells/mouse) were implanted into SCID-beige mice sc on study day 0 with matrigel (1:1). Treatments started on day 15 post implant. Study ended on day 56.

Groups

-   -   Vehicle ip, 2×/wk, n=10     -   20 mg/kg TW202, ip, 2×/wk, n=10     -   20 mg/kg TW205, ip, 2×/wk, n=10     -   20 mg/kg TW212, ip, 2×/wk, n=10

Individual tumors are weighed at the end of study. Results are shown in table 7.

TABLE 7 Mean tumor volume Panc1 [mm3] SD SEM Vehicle 580.51 ±69.74 ±22.05 TW202 437.20 ±95.83 ±30.30 TW205 456.40 ±90.84 ±28.72 TW212 356.60 ±62.50 ±19.76

Tumor volumes vs. days post-tumor cell implant are shown in FIG. 1.

Example 8 Effect of Anti-TWEAK Antibodies on ACHN Renal Carcinoma Xenograft Growth

Study design: ACHN cells (1×10⁷ cells/mouse) implanted with matrigel (1:1) into athymic nude mice sc on study day 0. Treatments started on day 10 post implant. Study ended on day 40.

Groups:

-   -   Vehicle ip, 2×/wk, n=10     -   TW202 (20 mg/kg) ip, 2×/wk, n=10     -   TW205 (20 mg/kg), ip, 2×/wk, n=10     -   TW212 (20 mg/kg) ip, 2×/wk, n=10

The average volume of the tumors are weighed at the end of study. Results are shown in table 8.

TABLE 8 Mean tumor volume ACHN [mm3] SD SEM Vehicle 596.04 ±241.68 ±76.43 TW202 161.28 ±89.44 ±28.28 TW205 151.64 ±82.46 ±26.08 TW212 217.12 ±189.73 ±60.00

Tumor volumes vs. days post-tumor cell implant are shown in FIG. 2. 

1. An isolated antibody that binds to human TWEAK, comprising a heavy chain variable domain CDR3H selected from the group consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8, 16 and
 24. 2. An isolated antibody to human TWEAK comprising a variable light chain with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and a variable heavy chain with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5; or a variable light chain with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 and a variable heavy chain with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13; or a variable light chain with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 and a variable heavy chain with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:21.
 3. The antibody of claim 1 comprising a) CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8, CDR1L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, CDR2L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, and CDR3L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4; or b) CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:14, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:15, CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16 CDR1L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, CDR2L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:11, and CDR3L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12; or c) CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24, CDR1L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, CDR2L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:19, and CDR3L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20; or d) CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:74, CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24, CDR1L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, CDR2L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:19, and CDR3L of SEQ ID NO:20; or e) CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:75, CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24, CDR1L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, CDR2L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:19, and CDR3L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20.
 4. The antibody of claim 1, comprising a combination of a variable light chain amino acid sequence/variable heavy chain amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1/SEQ ID NO:5, 1/36, 1/37, 1/38 1/39, 1/40, 1/41, 1/42, 1/43, 32/5, 32/36, 32/37, 32/38, 32/39, 32/40, 32/41, 32/42, 32/43, 33/5, 33/36, 33/37, 33/38, 33/39, 33/40, 33/41, 33/42, 33/43, 34/5, 34/36, 34/37, 34/38 34/39, 34/40, 34/41, 34/42, 34/43, 35/5, 35/36, 35/37, 35/38, 35/39, 35/40, 35/41, 35/42, 35/43; 9/13, 9/48, 9/49; 9/50, 9/51, 9/52, 9/53, 9/54, 44/13, 44/48, 44/49; 44/50, 44/51, 44/52, 44/53, 44/54, 45/13, 45/48, 45/49; 45/50, 45/51, 45/52, 45/53, 45/54, 46/13, 46/48, 46/49; 46/50, 46/51, 46/52, 46/53, 46/54, 47/13, 47/48, 47/49; 47/50, 47/51, 47/52, 47/53, 47/54; 17/21, 17/61, 17/62, 17/63, 17/64, 17/65, 17/66, 17/67, 17/68, 17/69, 17/70, 17/71, 17/72, 17/73, 55/21, 55/61, 55/62, 55/63, 55/64, 55/65, 55/66, 55/67, 55/68, 55/69, 55/70, 55/71, 55/72, 55/73, 56/21, 56/61, 56/62, 56/63, 56/64, 56/65, 56/66, 56/67, 56/68, 56/69, 56/70, 56/71, 56/72, 56/73, 57/21, 57/61, 57/62, 57/63, 57/64, 57/65, 57/66, 57/67, 57/68, 57/69, 57/70, 57/71, 57/72, 57/73, 58/21, 58/61, 58/62, 58/63, 58/64, 58/65, 58/66, 58/67, 58/68, 58/69, 58/70, 58/71, 58/72, 58/73, 59/21, 59/61, 59/62, 59/63, 59/64, 59/65, 59/66, 59/67, 59/68, 59/69, 59/70, 59/71, 59/72, 59/73, 60/21, 60/61, 60/62, 60/63, 60/64, 60/65, 60/66, 60/67, 60/68, 60/69, 60/70, 60/71, 60/72, 60/73.
 5. The antibody of claim 1 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 and
 73. 6. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody of claim 3 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 7. A method of treating or ameliorating colon, lung, or pancreatic cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody of claim
 3. 8. A nucleic acid sequence encoding a heavy chain of an antibody binding to TWEAK, said antibody comprising a heavy chain CDR3 region of claim
 1. 9. Expression vectors for the expression of an antibody binding to TWEAK in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell, said vectors comprising a nucleic acid according to claim
 8. 10. Prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell comprising a vector of claim
 9. 11. A process for the production of a recombinant antibody, comprising the steps of (a) expressing a nucleic acid according to claim 8 in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell; and (b) recovering said antibody from said cell or the cell culture supernatant.
 12. The antibody of claim 2 which is a chimeric, humanized or T-cell epitope depleted antibody.
 13. The antibody of claim 3 comprising CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24, CDR1L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, CDR2L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:19, and CDR3L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20.
 14. The antibody of claim 3 comprising CDR1H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:14, CDR2H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:15, CDR3H with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16 CDR1L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, CDR2L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:11, and CDR3L with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12. 